Oprah takes CEO title at OWN

Oprah Winfrey, whose syndicated TV show came to an end in May, will devote her full attention to the joint venture with Silver Spring-based Discovery Communications Inc., assuming the title of chief executive and chief creative officer later this year.

The Oprah Winfrey Network, or OWN, debuted earlier this year. In May, CEO Christina Norman was replaced by Discovery Chief Operating Officer Peter Ligouri, who has been serving as acting chief executive since then.

Winfrey will also bring on board some longtime lieutenants at her Harpo Studios, including Presidents Erik Logan and Sheri Salata, who become presidents at OWN, effective immediately.

“I am ready to dedicate my full creative energy and focus as the full time CEO of OWN, Winfrey said in a statement. "By aligning the mission, talent and leadership of Erik, Sheri, the OWN team, the Harpo team, along with expertise of David Zaslav, Peter and all of Discovery behind us, we can unleash the full potential of the network."

Discovery has been disappointed with OWN ratings in its early months. Zaslav told investors in April that ratings are below expectations, although in May OWN has delivered double-digit prime-time increases, compared with audience numbers a year ago at Discovery Health, the channel OWN replaced.